As the temperatures soar, we may tend to slack off on our resolve to exercise. Yet there are so many ways to support our health in the comfort of our air-conditioned homes. I was reminded of this yesterday, after I spent 45 minutes pulling weeds out of some flower beds that line the front walk to my house. The temperature was 80-something and rising when I stepped out with gloved hands and my trusty weed puller. The fifteen minutes turned into almost an hour as I worked my way up the sidewalk. At the same time, the sun felt more and more intense. I cooled down by sitting in the Urban Oasis (my deck) with a glass of iced tea and my current read.
Checking my steps, I found I had only 693 for the morning! What! After all that up and down, scooting along, and pulling, I felt I should have gotten more exercise credit than that! So after a shower and feeling somewhat refreshed, I pulled up a YouTube video and walked a mile. Well, at least an equivalent mile – 15-20 minutes of low impact aerobics with increased heart rate for about 10 minutes of that.
Next, I used my stretch bands to perform resistance exercises at three levels — 180 degrees, 90 degrees, and 45 degrees. Then on the floor to do lifts and squeezes with varying sizes of balls and clamshells with a resistance band. And always with a large glass of water close by.
When someone calls, I begin walking around the house, up and down the hallway, around the dining room table, through the kitchen to the family room and back down the hallway into each bedroom. I can get 2,000 steps in while talking to some people!
Even when I sit down to watch a movie, I can do leg lifts and arm lifts. Or bring my trusty little hand weights to the chair and add even more resistance.
My point is, I have no excuse to avoid exercising when the sun beats down and the mercury rises. The exercises I do are age appropriate. My sister reminded me one day when I felt low on energy that maybe a little exercise would lift my spirits along with my heart rate. She was right! Not only did I feel better physically, I was proud of myself pushing through.
As we age, arthritis begins to creep in. The best defense is movement. It’s easy to become stagnant, thinking tomorrow I will feel more like exercising. My 95-year-old aunt walks every day. She also naps. Her health, overall, is pretty good. Mary Ann inspires me, too. She makes herself go to the gym a few days a week, even when she isn’t feeling it! Way to go, girl! Keep Moving!
Silver Sage Sisters 